The Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec support innovation in the food-processing sector.

“The berries of the sea buckthorn, a shrub that is well suited to Quebec’s northern climate, are gaining popularity with chefs and consumers. I am proud of our government’s support for this innovation project that will enable Argousier des Appalaches inc. to expand its range of applications. I would also like to congratulate the eight producers and their families who have decided to combine their efforts to develop and grow this new production sector in their region.”
- Jean-Claude Poissant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

“Innovation and research are drivers of competitiveness. In this open-market environment, our companies must remain productive and innovative. However, research can be costly and risky, and that is why innovative companies must receive sufficient support to allow them to complete their projects successfully. The Government of Quebec is proud to encourage, through the Programme Innov’Action agroalimentaire, research and development efforts in agri-food while also stimulating investment in the Chaudière-Appalaches region.”
- Laurent Lessard, Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

“Sea buckthorn is well suited to the Chaudière-Appalaches climate, and the nutritional characteristics of sea buckthorn fruit are sought after by the food and pharmaceutical sectors. Argousier des Appalaches is contributing to the growth, sustainability and strengthening of Quebec’s emerging sea buckthorn sector. By means of this concrete contribution, Canada and Quebec are participating in the strategic development of a promising food-processing company.”
- Norbert Morin, Member of the Quebec National Assembly for Côte-du-Sud

• Argousier des Appalaches inc. is a group of eight producers in the Chaudière-Appalaches region. These producers planted 16,000 trees in their orchards in 2013 and established a packing centre in Sainte-Lucie-de-Beauregard in 2016. The project proponents already sell frozen sea buckthorn berries to processors.

• The Programme Innov’Action agroalimentaire aims to encourage research and innovation in agri-food with the goal of enhancing the competitiveness of companies in the agriculture and food-processing sectors. More than $21 million has been invested by the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec under the program since it began in 2013.

• In July 2017, the federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) ministers of agriculture reached an agreement in principle on the key elements of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $3 billion FPT investment. The Partnership, which is set to launch on April 1, 2018, will build a solid foundation for the future of Canada’s farmers and food processors and continue to help them grow, innovate and prosper.

Associated links

• Nation-wide initiatives linked to Growing Forward 2
• Cost-shared Growing Forward 2 programs implemented in Quebec (in French only)
• Programme Innov’Action agroalimentaire (in French only)
• Canadian Agricultural Partnership

Guy Gallant
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Mathieu Gaudreault
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